fine art connoisseur 2018
May / June 2018

Fine Art Connoisseur
"Betsy Ashton: Portraying Immigrants' Stories"

May, 2018

"Portraits of Immigrants"
Thirteen / WNET-TV news video

Jun 2016

Ashton's portrait in a very prominent spot at the U.S. Embassy in London.

Nov 2014

Unveiling the portrait of Ambassador Lader, at the U.S. Embassy in London. Click image to see photos.

Sep 2014

Photographer Peter Krogh captured this scene in my studio in September, when a PBS video crew led by director Jon Hornbacher, seen here behind the cameraman, followed me around for two days. They were shooting a 60-second spot that will soon air on PBS stations nationwide. I have supported public television actively for many years. As a TV news reporter-turned-artist, I can speak with authority about the high quality of journalism and excellent coverage of the arts that PBS continually delivers. —Betsy Ashton

Mar 2013

Betsy was prominently featured in the March 2013 issue of Sirulian News, published by Sirulians, Inc., an organization of veteran journalists.

2012

In 2012, Betsy Ashton was commissioned to paint the official portrait of Philip Lader, former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of Saint James's, for the collection of the United States Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London.

Nov 10, 2011

Times Ledger, Queens, New York
"A Portraitist Behind the Lens"

Aug 2011

American Artist Studios
"Create a Space That You Won't Want to Leave"

Ron Kim

Ron Kim

State Assemblyman from South Korea
Oil on canvas 40” x 30”

Ron Kim’s father gave up a world-spanning career as a construction engineer to get his wife and son away from the fiercely competitive “rat race” and corruption in post-war South Korea. They came to America, where democracy had fueled endless opportunities for middle-class living and upward mobility. Using their savings, Ron’s parents opened a corner grocery store in New York City. They worked 12-hour days, 7-days a week, and didn’t earn much money. Ron got bullied in elementary school because he couldn’t speak English. But he didn’t tell them. He saw their stress and, instead, helped in the store when he could. The ups and downs of the store, including a painful bankruptcy and borrowing, seared into him a desire to help working people. He won a full scholarship to college and later a fellowship for a masters degree in public policy. He spurned a chance to earn big money in Boston to return home to Flushing and intern in local government. He loved solving community problems. After a few years and a failed try, he was elected to the state Assembly where he works on laws to help the small business community.